SanDisk is making some great and interesting introductions during the CES show in Las Vegas. Among the introductions are the new Cruzer Micro, one of the world's smallest USB 2.0 Hi-speed flash memory storage drives, and the Cruzer Micro MP3 Companion which provides MP3 player functionality when connected with the Cruzer Micro USB flash drive. The Cruzer Micro is very small, with a size roughly equivalent to half a stick of chewing gum. Another great feature of the Cruzer Micro is that it can be upgraded to become an MP3 player simply by sliding it into the Cruzer Micro MP3 Companion. With the Cruzer Micro and Cruzer Micro MP3 Companion, users can carry their important files and favourite songs on their keychain.

Attach the MP3 Companion and they can enjoy the music. The two items will be sold separately. Eric Bone, SanDisk Cruzer retail product line marketing manager, said, "A small-size USB flash drive is a big priority for many of our customers. And you don't have to sacrifice storage capacity with this tiny drive because we are initially selling three different capacities - 128, 256 or 512MB. With its stylish design and miniaturization the first word that comes to mind for most consumers is "cool". Besides storing your music, Cruzer Micro also can be used to transport data files, images or video between home, office, school and other locations."

Bone added, "It is quite exciting for the USB flash drive market to have a stand alone device such as the Cruzer Micro that can be expanded with the addition of the MP3 player. We think that this combination will give consumers an excellent value."

Cruzer Micro, which is expected to ship in February 2004, will be priced at $64.99, $89.99 and $159.99 for the respective 128, 256 and 512MB capacities. The MP3 companion MP3 player, with a suggested retail price of $49.99, is scheduled to ship in March 2004 to many of the 50,000 stores worldwide where SanDisk sells its products.

The MP3 player has a typical battery life of more than seven hours on one AAA battery and comes with a backlit LCD screen to more easily identify songs that are playing.

Cruzer Micro will include CruzerLock, file encryption software that safeguards user data from being accessed by others in case the device is stolen or lost.

Cruzer Micro is "plug and play" with PCs and the Macintosh due to USB Mass Storage Class (MSC) compliance when used with Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Mac OS 10.1.2+ and Mac OS9.2.1+. A driver can be downloaded for Windows 98SE support.